Method and machine for closing filled bags



Sept. 28, 1937. N. CUNDALL 4,

: METHOD AND MACHINE FOR CLOSING FILLED BAGS Filed May 10, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet l .INVE TOR p 937- R. N. CUNDALL v 2,094,061

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR (JLQSING- FILLED BAG S Filed May 10, 1935' 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 f I I I Sept. 28, 1937. R. N. CUNDALL METHOD AND MACHINE FOR CLOSING FILLED BAGS Filed May 10, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 I MEN 5R Fe. N. CUNDALL Filed May 10; 1935 mg a METHOD AND MACHINE FOR CL-OSING FILLED BA'GS Sept. 28, 1937.

p 1937' R. N. CUNDALL 2,094,061

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR CLOSING FILLED BAGS Filed May 10, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Sept. 28, 1937. R. N. CUNDALL METHQD AND MACHINE FOR CLOSING FILLED BAGS Filed May 10, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Sept. 28, 1937. R N. CUNDALL METHOD AND MACHINE FOR CLOSING FILLED BAGS Filed May 10; 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 p 1937- a. N. (:UNDALL 2,094,061

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR CLOSING FILLED BAGS Filed May 10, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTQR Patented Sept. 28, 1937-- I UNITED STATE METHOD ANDv MACHINE FOR CLOSING FILLED BAGS Robert N. Cundall, Lackawanna, N. Y., assignor to Consolidated Packaging Machinery Corporation, Buffalo, N. Y.,a corporation of New York Application May 10, 1935, Serial No. 20,827

51 Claims.

top of the package so as to form a neatly squared package. Bags are closed in the machine in such a way that no leakage can occur and the formed packages are uniformly shaped so that a plurality of filled and sealed bags may be packed in cartons or master bags with a minimum of waste space.

One object of the invention is to effect the transfer of irregularly spaced filled bags from a continuously moving supply conveyor to regularly spaced intermittently moving conveying pockets adapted to convey the bags through successive stations of an intermittently operated bag closing machine. Another object of the present invention is to provide means to settle the contents of the filled bag and to compact the contents of the bag prior to the sealing thereof in order that uniform and sharply defined packages may be produced. Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby fluctuations in density, of the commodity being packaged may be accounted for in the'formation of the sealed package. It is well knw'n that a great number of commodities, such as coffee, flour, cocoa, and many commercial chemicals, will increase or decrease in bulk with variations in atmospheric conditions and other factors. A variation in bulk as great as five per cent may occur within the space of a few minutes, particularly'since the commodity being packaged is normally dropped through the atmosphere from a storage bin into the open bag. Other factors, such as variations in the manufacturin process of the commodity and variations in the substance of the raw materials may cause a sudden change in density. A great resistance to the automatic packaging of commodities in bags has been that the finished packages were never uniform. One bag in which the commodity would be loosely and sloppily packaged would be followed by another bag in which an imperfect seal would be. formed due to the commodity bulging beyond the expected bulk. A primary feature of the present invention is that any variation may be substantially instantaneously corrected. I

A further object of the invention is to further the formation of attractive packages by'trimming the end of the mouth of the bag at'a substantially uniform distance commodity. It has heretofore been suggested that the mouth of the bag be trimmed but this above the .top of the enclosed has never been successfully accomplished since the bags were always trimmed with relation to the bottom of the bag as a datum line. With the present invention fluctuations in density of the materialare accounted for by trimming the bags with reference to the top of the enclosed commodity so that the trimming of the edge of the bag mouth results in a projecting bag end of uniform length such that when the end of the bag is folded upon itself and upon the top of the package the length of bag material in each fold will be constant and the folds uniformly, tightly drawn.

These and othe objects, aswell as the advantages, will be apparent from a study of, the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

Referring to the drawings: 7

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the entire machine, showing means for feeding filled open bags to the closing machine, and means for ejecting the closed bags from the machine;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the ma chine;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section, taken on line 33 of Fig. 1, showing means for imparting intermittent motion to the conveyor;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a line as vertical cross section, taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2, showing the means for transferring bags from the continuously moving feed device to the intermittently moving conveyor;

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are detail views of a part of the transfer mechanism;v Fig. 6 being taken on line 5-6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 corresponding to Fig. 6; and Fig. 8 being a top plan view of a portion thereof indicated at line 8-8 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section, taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 2, showing the means for tucking in the side walls of the projecting end of the bag and for collapsing the front and rear walls of the bag upon the gu'ssets;

Fig. -10 is a vertical section, taken on line 9--9 of Fig. 2, showing a portion of the means for operating the mechanism of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a horizontal sectional view, with certain parts removed, of the mechanism of Fig. 9, showing the open mouth of the bag with the gusset folding means in operation; I Fig. 12 is a horizontal cross section, taken on line l2-i2 of Fig. 9, showing the means for collapsing the mouth'of the bag after the gusset tucking means have operated;,

Fig. 13 is a vertical cross'sectlon, taken on line l3-l3 of Fig. 2, showing the means for compressing the commodity enclosed in the bag; Fig. 14 is an enlarged view in verticalcross sec- 0 main shaft 56 tion of the mechanism of 'Fig. 13, taken on line Fig. is a horizontal cross section, taken on line I5-I5 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a vertical cross section, taken on line I 6-I6 of Fig. 2, and illustrating the bag trimming, bag crimping and. glue applying mechanism in operation;

Fig. 17 is a detailed view of a portion of the mechanism of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a top plan view of the glue applying mechanism of Fig. 16;

Fig. 19 is a vertical cross section, taken on line I9-I9 of Fig. 18;

Figs. 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 are similar views in vertical cross section taken along lines 20-20, 2I-2I, 22-22, 23-23, 24-24 and 25-25 of Fig. 2, respectively;

Fig. 26 is a vertical cross section, taken on line 26-26 of Fig. 2, showing the final folding mechanism for receiving the folded end of the bag mouth and folding it down upon the top of the package;

Figs. 27and 28 illustrate the final folder in succeeding positions;

Fig. 29 is a cross sectional view, taken on line 29-29 of Fig. 2, showing the mouth of the bag being held inposition while the adhesive initially Fig. 30 is a plan view of the dyer mechanism;

Fig. 31 is a vertical cross section of the dryer mechanism;

Fig. 32 is'an enlarged detail view of a portion of the dryer mechanism; and

Fig. 33 is a schematic plan view of the dryer cam.

Referring to Fig.1, there isillustrated, more or less diagrammatically, a conveying mechanism comprising a horizontalbelt 50 passing over a table 5| between guides 52. As indicated in dotted outlinethere may be side belts 53 supplementing the guides and the lower belt, the belts cooperating to feed the filled bags toward the closing machine. The bags A have been previously filled and placed upon the conveying belt .50 by any suitable mechanism and are preferably jogged upon the conveying belt by any suitable mechanism. Belt is drivenpby means of a sprocket chain 55 which in turn is driven by the through suitable gears. The main shaft 56 is rotated by means of a belt drive 51 (Fig.2) from a suitable motor (not shown) and .a shaft 58 and reduction gearing 59 (Fig.1). It

- can be seen that the bags A are continuously 55 progressed upon the conveying belt 50 toward the closing machine, where the bags are received in an intermittent chain conveyor to be described. The conveyor 50 is preferably driven at a greater speed than the bags can be received in the machine so that they will crowd together, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the conveyor sliding beneaththe temporarily stationary bags.

In Fig. 3 there is illustrated means for transforming the continuous rotation of the main shaft 56 into intermittent motion of the chain conveyor in the bag closing machine. Fixed to shaft 56 is an eccentric cam 60 which reciprocates an arm 6| pivoted at62 to the frame 63 of the machine and having a cam follower 64 bearing against the cam. A link 65 is attached to the arm 6| and to a pawl carrier 66 loosely mounted upon a stub shaft 61 mounted in the frame of the machine. Fixed to the shaft 61 (Fig. 4) is a rachet 68 having teeth 69, with which engages the rachet pawl 10. The stub opposite end of the machine (Fig. 2) is a correspending sprocket 16.

A continuous chain 11 is passed about sprockets 14, 16 to spaced links of which are fixed vertical plates 18 to which are bolted members 19 having forwardly extending parallel arms and a rear face 8| thereby forming three-sided pockets adapted snugly to receive filled bags.

The chain conveyor is intermittently progressed to move the filled bags through a plurality of spaced stations. The first stop ofa conveyor pocket is in line with transfer mechanism operating to remove the foremost bag from the continuous feeding device and place it in the pocket. This is accomplished by means of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 5.

Fixed to the main drive shaft 56 is a cam operating a reciprocating bar 9| guided in a bearing 92 fixed to the frame 63. The bar 9| is provided with a guide opening through which the main shaft passes and with a cam follower 93 bearing against the cam. 'The forward extremity of the bar is provided with a vertical yoke member 94 in which is received a roller 95 mounted upon a rocking lever 96 pivoted to the frame. A cord 91 is attached to the upper end of the rocking lever 96 and extends around a pulley 98 to a weight 99 which keeps the cam follower 93 bearing against cam 90. Each revolution of the main shaft 56 will cause the rocking lever 96 rapidly w" swing inward toward the frame, 'to remain there while the cam follower is in engagement with the high portion of cam 90, rapidly to return, and to remain inreturned position throughout substantially rotation' of the shaft.

The bags are forced by the succeeding bags from the conveyor 50 onto an intermediate table I00. In order that they may be transferred to a bottom guide rail IOI associated with the table top 15, there is provided transfer mechanisms as.

' slide I03 will be caused to move toward the conveyor pocket positioned to receive the bag. Upon retraction of the rocking lever, the spring I 01 will retract the slide. A pusher plate H0 is fixed to the slide I03, the plate being formed so as to provide a pushing surface at its forward extremity and a temporary restraining surface at one side to prevent a succeeding bag from becoming fouled. The slide is prevented from retracting too far by means of a plate II I which supports the extension I08, plate III being attached to the outer end ofthe guide I02.

If the supply of bags to the intermediate table I00 is uninterrupted each reciprocation of slide I03 will transfer a bag into each of the pockets l I I considerably damaged. In order to prevent this there is provided a safety device which will prevent reciprocation of slide I03 until a filled bag is exactly in registry with the conveyor pocket. 5 Pivoted at M5 to the intermediate table I is a stop plate II6. A spring II1, attached to a rod extending from plate I I6, tends to pivot the plate about I I and toward the oncoming bags. A rod II8, also fixed to plate II6, limits the pivotal movement thereof by engagement with spaced pins H9, I20 mounted on table I00. The spring I I1 tends to keep rod II8 against pin I II! but the force of the oncoming bags will rotate rod II8 against pin I20. 'In Fig. 2 a bag has rotated the plate and has thereby partially rotated an arm I2! fixed to the pivot H5. The forward extremity of arm I2I carries a latch I22, which is biased by a spring I23. If, as seen in Fig. 6; a bag has pivoted the arm I2I, the latch I22 will tension I05. If, however, a bag has not fully reached the proper position, the latch I22 will engage extension I05, as seen in Fig. '7. 'The spring I23 prevents undue shock of such engagement. The slide I03 travels a slight distance onward until it is stopped by plate III, the result being to lift the hooked arm I00 into the position shown in dashes in Fig. 5. -Any number of reciprocations of rocking lever 86 can occur without reciprocating the slide I03 until a bag rocks arm I2I as in Fig. 6, whereupon hooked arm I06 will drop and engage with the hook I06. The extremities of arm I06 and lever 96 are bevelled so that the lever 06 may return beneath the arm I06 even though it drops during the time that the lever is in forward position. As seen in dot and dash lines in Fig. 5, the pusher plate I I0 is moved forward far enough to clear an outer guide rail I25 which extends along the front of 4c the closing machine.

The filled bag, now positioned in the conveyor pocket, is progressed along the surface of the bottom guide IIII. In order to maintain the pockets in correct alignment there is provided a 45 longitudinal tongue and groove I at each side of the bed 15, engaging with tongues and a groove on the lower surface of the conveyor pocket supports (Fig. 9). The guide I25, retaining the bags in the pockets, is supported on a plurality of up- 5 right bars I3I mounted on the bottom guide IOI,

the means of attachment of the guide rail I25 thereto comprising a plurality of thumb screws I32 by means of which the rail may be adjusted. The filled bag is progressed into the mechanism of Fig. 9 by the first movement of the conveyor and comes to rest with its open mouth projecting into the path of means operating to tuck the side walls inwardly to form a gusseted mouth and to collapse the front and rear walls inwardly upon the gussets.

Fixed to the main shaft 56 is a cam I35 (Figs. 1 and 10) which, through a yoked guide I36 and cam follower I31, operates an adjustable pitman I38. A lever I39 pivoted to the pitman I38 is fixed to a rock shaft I extending parallel to the main shaft to'a point beneath the mechanism of Fig. 9. A lever I4I fixed to the end of rock shaft I40 operates a pitman I42 (Figs. 1, 9 and 10) which operates the gusset tucking means. The frame 63 is provided with an auxiliary frame I45, which carries a guide plate I46. A block I41 is guided by the edges of a longitudinal slot in plate I46 and a second block I48 is guided by the outer edges of plate I46. Block I41 is reciprocated by 75 means of a lever I50 attached to pitman I42, a

be maintained out of the path of the latching exoperative position rock shaft I5I, and a lever I52 slot in the block. The upper surface of block I41 carries a wedge I55 and an adjustably mounted bag presser I56. A tension spring I51 is attached to wedge I55 and to a flange at the rear of block I48, the tension of the spring being adjustable by means of a suitable tensioning device I58. Forward motion of block I41 will therefore cause block I48 to follow in abutting relation. At the side of guide plate I46 is an adjustable abutment I60 which engages block I48 and prevents forward movement thereof even though block I41 continues to travel and spring I51 is placed upon considerable tension. Block I48 carries pivots I6I and I62 upon which are mounted-brackets I63, I64, respectively. Each bracket is provided with a plurality of pairs of lugs, to the rear pair of which, I65, is pivoted a tucking bar I66 which passes between the forward pair of lugs I61. The tucking bars are constrained to pivot with brackets I63 and I64 about the pivots I6I and I62, but may swing upward about lugs I65 if necessary. The tucking bars will normally remain .in the position illustrated, but, should the bag be filled to a greater extent than normal, the tucking bars may rise while still performing their function, or they may be pivoted out of if desired.

Each bracket carries a roller I10 which engages the adjacent side of the wedge I55. when blocks I41 and I68 are in contact the tucking bars I66 will be maintained at an angle to each other in the position indicated in skeleton outline in Fig. 11. Each tucking bar is provided at its forward end with a tucking member I1I which is movedforward with the block I48 to the side of the bag. The abutment I60 is adjusted so that the points of the tucking members will stop ad-' jacent the center line of the bag regardless of the width of the bag and regardless of the amount of further travel of block I41. When brought to a stop the tucking members are held apart, but continued movement of block I61 will cause the tucking members to approach each other due to the urge of a tension spring I12 joining the-tucking bars I66, and due to the rollers I10 following the converging surface of the wedge I55. The amount of continued movement pf wedge I55 is determined by the adjustment'jfiof pitman I38 (Fig. 10) thereby providing forvarying depths of bag gussets. It is seen that the bag presser plate I56 is provided with a depending flange I15 which engages the side of the bag when the block I41 is at its foremost position. The presser plate is provided with a slot I16 by means of which it may be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of bags.

The operation of the foregoing mechanism is as follows: As the bag comes to a rest, the tucking members I1I are brought forward to opposite sides of the bag. Continued movement of wedge I55 causes the flange I15 of the presser member to engage the front of the bag and to square the bag top in the conveyor pocket, and also causes convergence of tucking members I1I to draw the sides of the bag in between the front and rear faces. The shape of cam I35 (Fig. 10) causes the mechanism to remain in the position of Fig. 11 momentarily, then rapidly to withdraw to its starting position, thereby withdrawing the presser member, opening the tucking members and retracting the entire mechanism to the position of Fig. 9, thereby allowing the bag to move on and the succeeding bag to be brought into position. Before the retraction is permitted, however, other projecting into a mechanism operates upon the mouth of the bag to collapse thefront and rear faces against the tucked gussets.

The collapsing mechanism comprises a cam I80, fixed to main shaft 56, operating an adjustable vertical pitman I8I by means of a guide yoke I82 and a cam follower I83, a tension spring I84 fixed to the bed and to yoke I82 maintaining the cam follower against the cam. The pitman I8I extends upward alongside a standard I85 provided with an extension I86 overlying the bag, and is attached to a'lever I81 pivoted to the standard at I88. An upright I90 fixed to the extension I86 is provided with a vertical slot I9I in which is guided a pin I92 passing through a horizontal slot I93 in lever I81. Spaced depending arms I94 attached to extension I86 pivotally .support spaced bag engaging shoes I95. Short levers I96 fixed to the shoes I95 are pivoted to links I91 which are pivoted to the pin I92. Raising of pitman I8I causes pin I92 to be lowered, thereby rocking the shoes I95 about their pivots to engage the front and rear faces of the bags and draw them together. The shoes-are convex in form so as to wipe the faces of the bag upwardly, thereby smoothing andcorrectly collaps,-

ing the same against thetucked side walls. The operation performed by this mechanism is so timed that the shoes commence engaging the bag walls at substantially the instant that the tucks are formed therein, and progressively wipe upward and squeezethe front and rear walls together duringthe short dwell that the tucking members are permitted at their operating position. The action is practically instantaneous due -.to the shape of cam I80. Immediately upon reaching their full engaging stroke the cam I80 commences to withdrawthe shoes, this however tive position due to the lack of movement of the being accomplished very slowly due to the shape of the cam. Itwill therefore be apparent that the shoes will form guideways between which the collapsed mouth of the bag will be held in substantially collapsed position until the bag moved forward to the next station. During. the

" forward movement into the next station the mouth of the bag is guided between spaced guide members 200 which prevent unfolding of the col-- lapsed bag mouth.

The bag is brought'to rest at the next station of the machine, comprising means for securing the upper end of the bag and to compress the commodity into the bag so that a substantially fiat-ended package may be formed. This mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 13, 14 and'15. A m 205 fixed to the main shaft 56 operates a verti al pitman 206 through a guide yoke 201. and a cam follower 208 maintained against the camfby a spring 209 fixed to the bed 15. Pitman 206 passes through an adjustment block 2I0 which carries an extension rod 2 extending above a standard 2I2 mounted on the bed. Spaced ex tensions 2I3, fixed to standard 2I2, extend over the bag and adjustably support guide plates 214.

The front face of standard 2I2 is provided with flanges 2I5 which guide a vertically reciprocable height of the filled bag is the'rods 220, 22I are spread apart when arm I6 is raised. Upon downward movement of the arms the rods are brought together then moved downward in substantially parallel relation until retracted. Retraction is first in parallel lines andthen divergent. A bar 230 extends between arms 2I3 and a strip 23I of textile material. such as heavy. canvas, is draped over the bar at substantially its middle point. The ends of the canvas strip extend downwardly beyond the ends of the rods 220, 22I. The lower ends of each pair of rods are provided with a flat vertical clamping plate 232, Wh1'Ch is bent horizontally to provide a pressing surface 233 and terminates in a rounded outer end. The ends of the canvas strip are brought around the pressing surfaces and are attached to tension springs234 and 235 which are fixed to the arm 2I6.

.Theplates 2I4 areprovided with throat portions 240 into which the guides 200 lead the collapsed mouth of the bag during the time that the arm 2-I6 is raised as shown in full line in Fig. 13. At this time the rods 220, 22I are spread apart, therebyv spreading the sections of the canvas strips beyond the limits of the throat 240. Immediately upon the bag coming to rest arm 2 I6 commences to lower, the plates at the ends of the rods'220, 22 I- sliding upon the outer surface of the canvas The slots in plates 2 I4 will cause the bag mouth to be clamped and held in the same relacanvas strip. Continued movement of the arm 2I6 causes the pressing faces 233 to squeeze down upon the contents of the bag while continually drawing together the sides of the bag end. If the greater than normal, pitman 206 maycontinue in its downward travel, spring 2I9 however permitting arm 2I6 to remain stationary.

The next station of the machine comprises means to trim the edge of the bag mouth, to crease the bag mouth a uniform distance below the trimmed end, and to apply adhesive to the bag mouth at the parts which are to be folded and sealed. The trimming and creasing mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 16 and '17.

A cam 245 fixed to the main shaft 56 operates a pitman 246 through a guide yoke 241 and a cam follower 248. Pitman 246 extends upward through the bed 15 and is pivoted to a bell'crank' lever 249 which is pivoted to a bracket extension 250 extending over the top of the bag. The bracket extension is provided with a throat portion 25I which receives the top of the bag and which is provided with a fixed shear blade 252 and a fixed crimping blade 253. Plungers 254 are guided in the opposite side of the bracket extension and carry a movable spring-pressed shear blade 255 and movable crimping jaws 256. The plungers carry a plate 251, between which and the extension 250 are mounted springs 258. The forward arm of bell crank 249 is provided with a rounded surface which bears against plate 251. Upward movement of pitman 246 causes the shear blades to trim the mouth of the bag and the crimping mechanism to place a horizontal crease parallel to the trimmed edge at a uniform distance therefrom in the bag material. The spring 258 serves to maintain cam follower 248 against cam 245. 'The operative portion of cam 245 is extensive and maintains the plunger in operative position throughout a Substantial period, during which time adhesive is applied to the front face of the bag in the area between the crease and the front vertical face of the bag.

The adhesive applying mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 16, 18 and 19. The mechanism is supported on a bracket 26!) fixed to the frame of the machine. A motor 26!, (Fig. 1) is supported by the bracket and drives reducing gears 262 through a sprocket chain 263. A sprocket chain 5 23 i drives a shaft 265 supported in bearings on the bracket and which carries a fountain roll 265 mounted in a container 23? carrying the adhesive. The container 261 is supported in an outer container 210 in which water is placed and 20 heated by suitable heating elements 2'. With certain types of adhesive the heating elements are unnecessary but the preferable adhesive is of the type which is maintained in liquid condition by heat and which sets upon cooling. The foun- 25 tain roll 2% continuously revolves in the adhesive and its surface is cleaned by an adjustable doctor blade 2112. x

In Figs. 16, 18 and 19 there is illustrated means for transferring the adhesive to the sur- 30 face of the bag. The transfer mechanism is operated by a cam 215 fixed to the mainshaft 55. The cam operates an adjustable pitman 2'36, through a yoke guide 2H and a cam follower 2'l3, which rocks a bell crank 2W pivoted to the exten- 35 sion of the frame. Bell crank 2T9 is fixed to a rock shaft 280 which extends beneath the transfer roll to its opposite side and to which is attached a lever 28H. The free ends of bell crank 2ft 1 and lever-28.! are pivoted to transfer roll sup- 40 porting arms 282 which have the shaft of the transfer roll 283 rotatably mounted thereon. A spring 28 is stretched between bell crank 279 and arm 282 to maintain a guide roller 285 against a cam plate 283. A spring 28? maintains a guide 45 roller 288 against a cam plate 239 at the opposite side of the mechanism. R'eciprocation of the pitman 273 moves the transfer roll from the position shown in skeleton outline (Fig. 16) to its operative position shown in full line. The shaft of the 50 fountain roll carries a gear 290 which meshes with a gear 29H upon the shaft of the transfer roll to rotate the transfer roll during the time that it is positioned against the surface of the fountain roll thereby causing a layer of adhesive to be de- 55-posited upon its surface. A rack 295 is fixed to the side of the adhesive container in position to I engage the gear 23f as it is lifted from engagement with the gear 233 and moved toward the bag. The purpose of the rack is to cause the 60 transfer roll continuously to revolve in order that the adhesive will not collect at any one point upon its surface. first upon the shoulder of the bag and may then be lifted to roll upward along the portion of the preferably knurled, as illustrated, thereby accumulating a greater 'amount of adhesive to;

transfer to the bag. Upon retraction of the pitman the transfer 'roll rolls back along the surface of the bag and the gear 29! is causedto engage first with the rack 295 and then with the gear 290. The adhesive applying mechanism is preferably encased in a housing 293 having ,a trap door 297 (Fig. 2). The housing serves the dual function 75 of retaining the heat in an enclosed area and. also The transfer roll spreads adhesive- It is.

ping into the adhesive applier. Immediately after disengagement of the transfer roll from the bag the shear blades and the crimping jaws are opened and the bag is progressed to the next station.

The action of the crimping jaws and shear blade of the preceding mechanism tends temporarily to unite the plies of the bag mouth. Immediately upon leaving the crimping mechanism the mouth of the bag enters a stationary converging guideway comprising an upper forming rail 300 and a lower forming rail 30! mounted upon a bracket 302 fixed to the bed (Figs. 20, 21 and 22). The passageway between the guide rails is twisted through 90 so that the bag mouth is folded along the provided crease as shown in Fig. 22. Immediately upon leaving the first set of guide rails the bag mouth enters a second set comprising an upper forming plate 305 and alower forming plate 306 mounted upon a bracket 3D'lfixed to the bed 15. At the entrance to this second set of guide rails the upper plate 305 is substantially 7 horizontal and the lower plate 306 is curved away from the vertical axis of the bag. At the middle of this set of guide rails (Fig. 24) each plate has approached a vertical position and at the exit therefrom (Fig. 25) the plates are parallel and vertical and the bag has been given a first fold upon itself along the fold line provided by the creasing jaws.

The folded bag now comes to rest in the final folding mechanism illustrated in Figs. 26, 27 and 28. This mechanism comprises a cam 3W fixed to the main shaft 56 operating an adjustable pitman 3H through a yoked guide M2 and a cam follower 3H3. The pitman rocks a lever 3H5 fixed to a rock shaft 3% mounted upon the bed. A

bracket 3H supports the final folding mechanism which is operated by a lever 39 B rocked by a shaft 3H6. A sliding frame 323 is guided in suitable guides 32f mounted upon the bracket 3H, and is substantially restrained from upward movement by a plurality of adjustable springs 322 and 323. The forward end of the frame carries spaced cam plates 325 and a pivoted rod 325. Mounted upon the rod are cam levers 325 in the free arm of which is mounted a pivot pin 32l. Fixed to the pivot pin 32'! is a folding clamp 328 and an operating lever 323. A clamping plate 330 is fixed to the cam levers 326. A link 335 extends from the free end of operating lever 329 to the free end of the lever MB. .A pin 335 fixed to-an extension of the cam levers 325 is a support for one end of .a spring 331 extending to a pin 328 carried by the sliding frame 320.

The operation of the final folding mechahism is as follows: The mechanism is in the position illustrated in Fig. 26 as the bag comes to rest after leaving the preliminary folding means. The

forward motion of the rod 335 causes the clamping plate 323 to grip the folded end of the bag against the clamping plate 330 and causes the pivot pin 32? to describe an are about the folding clamp 323, thereby moving the folded. end through a 90 arc to the position shown in Fig. 27 and drawing the sides of the bag taut. Further movement of lever 3l8 will now cause forward movement of the sliding frame 320 thereby causing the clamping plate and folding clampto tighten the fold, draw the bag taut, and slidably to release the folded end of the bag. A pressing plate 333 is provided upon the end surface of the frame which engages the folded end and presses itdownwardly upon the upper end of the prevents the trimmings from the bags from dropv with rack teeth meshing with a pinion mounted bag as illustrated in Fig. 2a. In Fig. 2a the body of the bag is shown as lower than would ordi to springs 322, 323 determining the amount of pressure- The springs also permit operation of the device if a bag is filled too full. Retraction of pitman 3| I causes the clamping lever 328 to separate from the clamping plate 330 and return of the entire device to its original position.

It hasbeen found to be helpful although not entirely necessary to the operation of the folding mechanism and the folding guides to extend a nearly rigid rod 341 parallel to the guide rail I25 in position to engage the rear shoulder of the bag as it passes through the folding stations.

Immediately upon retraction of the final folding device the bag progresses beneath a stationary pressing plate 345 (Figs. 1, 2 and 29). The plate 345 comprises a curved plate which extends partially around the end of the bed 15 and-is supported on uprights mounted in a bracket 346 supported by the frame. The feeding movement of the chain conveyor is such as to remove the bag from the final folding mechanism to a position upon the longitudinal center line of the machine, from. which the bag will be ejected as will presently appear. It will be apparent that each of the foregoing mechanisms operates in such a manner that ordinary fluctuations in density and quantity will be compensated. It has been found, however, that as small .a package as one pound of coffee will vary as much as three-quarters of an inch more or less in height within as short atime as onehalf hour. Inas short a space as five minutes the bulk of the coffee may vary so much as to cause a loose package to result. In order that instantaneous-adjustment of the entire machine may be brought about there has been provided means to adjust the level of the bottomguide rail I! whereby uniform packages can be formed. The means comprises vertically reciprocating supporting posts 350, 351 upon which the guide rail I01 is mounted. The lower end of each post is formed upon a shaft 352 rotated by a worm gear 353 and a worm 354 and hand wheel 355 (Fig. 16). The operator of the machine can instantaneously raise. or lower the guide rail i0l thereby altering the position of the top of the enclosed contents of the bag with respect to the operating -mechanism. Since the normal operating capacity of the machine is from thirty to forty bags per minute the effect of any adjustment will be very rapidly observed.

The closed and sealed bags are ejected froni" the machine and maintained in closed position for a substantial period of time until the adhesive has set suiiiciently to prevent unfolding of the rolled bag end. The ejecting and drying mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. A vertical rock shaft 360 is provided with an arm and cam follower 361, the cam follower being held against a cam 362, fixed to the main shaft '56, by suitable'spring means (not shown). At its upper extremity the shaft 360 is provided with a pair of ejecting arms 363 and 364, arm 363 engaging the upper end of the bag between the presser plate 346 and the top of the conveyor pockets and arm 364 engaging the bottom of the bag between the bottom of the conveyor pockets and the top of the guide rail NH. The cam 362 rocks the electing arms 0 'tward immediately upon the bag com- I ing to re and the spring returns the arm to normal position before the next bag approaches.

mounted on frame 313 carries a pivoted transverse shelf 315 extending to the bottom guide rail I01 and providing a support for the transferred bags which will swing adjustments of the bottom guide rail or the dryer mechanism. The

top of the bag is maintained in closed position by means of an intermediate presser plate 316 pivoted to presser plate 345 and having an arm engaged by a spring 316 to maintain suitable pressure against the top of the bag.

The dryer shelf is associated with a plurality of vertically sliding'plungers 380 having rollers 38lwhich engage a continuous track carried by the frame 313. A pressing shoe 362 is fixed'to each plunger 360 and the track is provided with a cam portion 383 which raises and lowers th shoes onto the tops of the bags.

Each plunger is provided with a cross rod 330 to which are fixed tension springs 39l and 392 whose opposite ends are fixed to the back of the drying shelf. As the rollers 38i engage the cam 383 the shoes are gradually raised above the level of the tops of the bags and are maintained in raised position until the bag is received from the closing machine, whereupon the shoes are gradually lowered until the roller 36I leaves the cam track. The shape of the cam 363 determines the extent to which the shoes are raised and the strength of thesprings 331 and 332 determines the extent to which the shoes are lowered. If the bags are of thin material it may be best to providetthe plungers m withabut- .ments 393 which engage the back of the drying shelf and prevent further downward movement of the shoe after it has engaged the top of the bag. However, if the abutments 333 are omitted the cam track prevents the plungers from continued downward movement.

The driving shelf 310 is supported by spokes 400 radiating from a hub 401 which 'is rotated by a worm and. gear driven by the intermediate shaft 312 and supported by an upright post 402. A collar 403 fixed to the post is provided with a bearing racewayand a suitable bearing prevents undue friction between the hub 40] and the collar. The cam track 383 is carried by the collar 403. The post 402 is supported in a standard, 404 )through which the post is threaded,'proof the closing machine. Each shoe is thereupon lowered onto the top of the bag and will be maintained in lowered position by the springs 3!, 392 until the shoe is raised by cam 383. At the point where the shoes are raised there is provided means to remove the bags from the drying shelf, comprising a curved guide rail M which extends toward the back of the drying shelf and is curved outwardly therefrom to eject the bags from the shelf. A table til is associated with the rail M0 and the bags are collected upon the table and removed by the operator to be packaged inmaster bags or cartons.

A brief rsum of the operation of the machine is as follows: Previously filled open mouth-bags are converted by a continuous feeding and jog ging conveyor and transmitted to an intermittent pocketed conveyor which carries the bags through the closing mechanism. At the first stop the side walls of the bag mouth are tucked inwardly and the front and rear walls collapsed upon the tucked-in side walls. -At the next stop the mouth of the bag is pressed together while the contents of the bag are compressed by the gripping and compressing mechanism. At the next stop the edge of the bag is trimmed, a folding crease is provided parallel to the edge of the bag and at a uniform distance therefrom, and a quantity of sealing adhesive is applied to the shoulder of the bag upon which the folded mouth is to be sealed. The next two successive forward movements and stops will occur while the bag is passing through the preliminary folding mechanism of Figs. 20, 21 and 22, and the secondary folding mechanism of Figs. 23, 24 and 25, the bag mouth being first folded 90 along the folding crease and then an additional 90 along the folding crease. At the next stop the folded end of the bag is engaged, drawn tightly toward the front of the bag and pressed down onto the adhesive. During the next forward movement the sealed end is retained in sealed position, and at the next stop the bag is ejected into the intermediate guideways between the sealing mechanism and the drying mechanism. As two or three bags are ejected from the machine the foremost will be clamped between the rotating shelf and-the pressing shoe in the dryer. After being held in the dryer for a suitable length of time the filled and sealed bag is removed and packed.

There has been illustrated and described a preexact form described except in so far as determined by the following claims which are to be construed in their broadest-sense.

I claim:

1. A machine for closing the mouths of filled bags comprising, means to tuck the side walls of the open end of the bag inwardly and to collapse the front and rear walls of the bag upon the tucked side walls, means to form squaredshoulders on the bag, and means to fold theend or. the bag down upon one-0f said squared shoulders comprising a trimming device adapted to trim the; edge of the bag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents.

2. A machine for closing the mouths of filled bags comprising, means to tuck the side walls of the open end of the bag inwardly and to collapse the front and rear walls of the bag upon the tucked side walls, means to form squared shoulders on the bag, and means to fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squared shoulders comprising a combined trimming and creasing device adapted to trim the edge ofthe bag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents and to form a crease in the bag parallel to and at a uniform distance from the trimmed end.

3. A machine for closing the mouths of filled bags comprising, means to tuckthe side walls of the open end of the bag inwardly and to collapse the front and rear walls of the bag upon the tucked side walls, means to form squared shoulders on the bag, means to fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squared shoulders comprising a combined trimming and creasing device adapted to trim the edge of the bag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents and .to form a crease in the bag parallel to and at a uniform distance from the trimmed; end, and

- folding bars adapted to fold the end of the bag at a certain distanceabove the enclosed contents and to form a crease in the bag parallel to and at a uniform distance from the trimmed end, folding bars adapted to fold the end of the v bag once upon itself along said creased line, and means to fold the folded end of the bag down upon the said shoulder.

5. A machine for closing the mouths of filled bags comprising, means to tuck the side walls of the open end of the bag inwardly and to collapse the front and rear walls of the bag upon the tucked side walls, means to form squared shoulders on the bag, means to fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squared shoulders comprising a combined trimming and creasing device adapted to trim the edge of the bag at a certain distance above theenclosed contents and to form a crease in the bag parallel to and at a uniform distance from the trimmed end, means to apply adhesive to said shoulder, folding bars adapted to fold the end of the bag once upon itself along said creased line, and means to fold the folded end of the bag down upon the said shoulder.

6. A machine for closing the mouths of filled bags comprising, means to tuck the side walls of the open end of the bag inwardly and to collapse the front and rear walls of the bag upon the tucked side walls, means to form squared shoulders on the bag, means operating to fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squaredshoulders comprising a combined trimming and creasingdevice adapted to trim and crease the bag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents, and intermittently actuated conveyor pockets to progress the bag through said means.

'7. A machine for closing the mouths of filled bags comprising, means to tuck the side walls of the open end of the bag inwardly and to collapse the front and rear walls of the bag upon the tucked side walls, means to form squared shoulders on thebag, means operating to fold the end of the bag down upon one -of said squared shoul- 8 ders comprising a combined trimming and creasing device adapted to trim and crease the bag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents, and intermittently actuated conveyor pockets to progress the bag through said means; in combination with a continuous conveying device to deliver filled bags to said machine.

8. A machine for closing the mouths of filled bags comprising, means to tuck the side walls of the open end of the bag inwardly and to collapse the front and rear walls of the bag upon the tucked side walls, means to-form squared shoulders on the bag, means to fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squared shoulders comprising a combined trimming and creasing device adapted to trim the edge of the bag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents and to form a crease in the bag parallel to and at a uniform distance from the trimmed end, and intermittently actuated conveyor pockets to progress the bag through said means.

9. A machine for closing the mouths of filled bags comprising, means to tuck the side walls of the open end of the bag inwardly and to collapse the front and rear walls of the bag upon the tucked side walls, means to form squared shoulders on the bag, means to fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squared shoulders comprising a combined trimming and creasing device adapted to trim the edge of the bag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents and to form a crease in the bag parallel to andat a uniform distance from the trimmed end, and intermittently actuated conveyor pockets to progress the bag through said means; in combination with a continuous conveying device to deliver filled bags to said machine.

10. A machine for closing the mouths of filled bags comprising; means to tuck theside walls of the open end of the bag inwardly and to collapse the front and rear walls of the bag upon the tucked side walls; means to form squared shoulders on the bag; means to fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squared shoulders comprising a combined trimming and creasing device adapted to trim the edge of the bag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents and to form a crease in the bag parallel to and at a uniform distance from the trimmed end, foldin bars adapted to fold the end of the bag once upon itself along said creased line, and means to fold the folded end of the bag down upon the said shoulder; and intermittently actuated conveyor pockets to progress the bag through said means. 11. A machine for closing'the mouths of filled bags comprising; means to tuck the side walls of the open end of the bag inwardly and to collapse the front and rear walls of the bag upon the tucked side walls; means to form squared shou1-" ders on the bag; means to fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squared shoulders comprising a combined trimming and creasing device adapted to'trim the edge of the bag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents and to form a crease in the bag parallel to and at a uniform distance from the trimmed end, folding bars adapted to fold the end of the bag once upon itself along said creased line, and means to fold the folded end of the bag down upon the said shoulder; and intermittently actuated conveyor pockets to progress the bag through said means; in combination with a continuous conveying device to deliver filled bags to said machine.

12. A machine for closing the mouths of filled bags comprising, means to tuck the side walls of the open end of the bag inwardly and to collapse the front and-rear walls of the bag upon the tucked side walls, means to form squared shoulders on the bag, and means to fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squared shoulders comprising a trimming device adapted to trim the edge of the bag at a certain distance above the enclosed content; in combination with a continuously rotated shelf having pressing shoes associated therewith adapted to receive and hold the closed bags as they are ejected from the closing machine.

13. A machine for closing the mouths of filled bags comprising, means to, tuck the side walls of the open end of the bag inwardly and to collapse the front and rear walls of the'bag upon the tucked side walls, means to form squared shoulders on the bag, and means to'fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squared shoulders comprising a combined trimming and creasing device adapted to trim the edge of the bag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents and to form a crease in the bag parallel to and at a uniform distance from the trimmed end; in combination with a continuously rotated shelf having pressing shoes associated therewith adapted to receive and hold the closed bags as they are ejected from the closing machine.

14. A machine for closing the mouths of filled bags comprising; means to tuck the side walls of the open end of the bag inwardly and to collapse the front and rear walls of the bag upon the tucked side walls; means to form squared shoulders on the bag; and means to fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squared shoulders comprising a combinedtrimming and creasing device adapted to trim the edge of the bag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents and to form a crease in the bag parallel to and at a uniform distance from the trimmed end, folding bars adapted to fold the end of the bag once upon itself along said creased line, and means to fold the folded end of the bag down upon the said shoulder; in combination with a continuously rotated shelf having pressing shoes associated therewith adapted to receive and hold the closed bags as they are ejected from the closing machine.

15. A machine for closing the mouths of filled bags comprising; means to tuck the side walls of the open end of the bag inwardly and to collapse the front and rear walls of the bag upon the tucked side walls; means to form squared shoulders on the bag; and means to fold the end of the bag' down upon one of said squared shoulders comprising a combined trimming and creasing device adapted to trim the edge of the bag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents and to form a crease in the bag parallel to and at a uniform .distance from the trimmed end, andfolding bars adapted to fold the end of the bag once upon itself along said creased line and means to fold,

the folded end of the bag down upon the said shoulder, together with means to apply adhesive the open end of the bag inwardly and to collapse,

the front and rear walls of the bag upon the tucked side walls; means to form squared shoulders on the bag; means to fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squared shoulders comprising'a trimming device adapted to trim the edge of the bag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents; and intermittently actuated conveyor pockets to progress the bag through said means; in combination with a continuous conveying device to deliver filled bags to said machine, and a continuously rotated shelf having lapse the front and rear walls of the bag upon means; in-combination with a the tucked side walls; means to form squared shoulders on the bag; means to fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squared shoulders comprising a combined trimming and creasing device adapted to trim the edge of the bag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents and to form a crease in the bag parallelto and at a uniform distance from the trimmed end; and intermittently actuated conveyor pockets to progress the bag through said means; in combination with a, continuous conveying device to deliver'filled bags to 'said machine, and a continuously rotated shelf having pressing shoes associated therewith adapted to receive and hold the closed bags as they are ejected from the closing machine.

18. A machine for closing the mouths of-filled bags comprising; means to tuck the side walls of the open end of the bag inwardly and to collapse the front and rear walls of the bag upon the tucked side walls; means to form squared shoulders on the bag; means to fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squared shoulders comprising a combined trimming and creasing device adapted to trim the edge of the bag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents and to form a crease in the bag parallel to and at auniform distance from the trimmed end; folding bars adapted to fold the end of the bag once upon itself along said creased line followed by means to fold the folded end of the bag down upon the said shoulder; and intermittently actuated conveyor pockets to progress the bag through said continuous conveying device to deliver filled bagsto said pockets, and a continuously rotated shelf having pressing shoes associated therewith adapted to receive and hold the closed bags as they are ejected from the closing machine.

19. In a filled bag closing machine, means to crease the mouth of the bag along a line parallel to its edge and means simultaneously to trim the edge of the .bag at a uniform distance from said crease, said creasing device comprising means to grasp the mouth of the bag to hold the same against pressure on the side of the bag, and means to apply adhesive to the side of the bag below the said crease while so held.

20. In a filled bag closing machine, means to crease the mouth of the bag along a line parallel to its edge and simultaneously to trim the edge of the bag at a uniform distance from said crease, said creasing device comprising means to grasp themouth of the bag to hold the same against pressure on the side of the bag, and means to apply adhesive to the side of the bag below the said crease while so held; said applying means comprising a fountain roll and a transfer "roll reciprocated from said fountain roll to"the bag.

21. In a filled bag closing machine, means to crease the mouth of the bag along a line parallel prising rigid members to the sides of the bag are to its edge and simultaneously to trim the edge of the bag at a uniform distance from said crease,

said creasing device comprising means to grasp I the mouth of the bag 'to' hold the same against pressure on the side of the bag, and means to apply adhesive to the said crease while so held, said applying means comprising a fountain roll and a transfer roll reside of the bag below the ciprocated from said fountain roll to the bag, and

means associated therewith to revolve said foun tain roll during the reciprocation thereof.

22. In a filled bag closing machine, means to compress the material within the bag and to form squared shoulders upon, said bag, comprising a strip of fabric tensioned: over a stationary member above the bag and having its ends projecting downwardly at opposite sides of fabric strip together 23. In a filled bag closing machine, means to compress the material within the bag and to form squared shoulders upon said bag, comprising a strip of fabric tensioned over a stationary member above the bagand having its ends projecting downwardly at opposite sides of the mouth of the bag, and means to bring the ends of said fabric strip together, said means comprising vertical gripping plates terminating in horizontal pressing plates adapted. to slide upon the outer surface of said fabric strip.

24. In a. filled bag closingmachine, a device to grip the mouth of the the mouth .of the bag, and means to bring the ends of said for compressing the material within the bag and toward the top of the contents of the bag whereby the sides of the bag are tautly drawn into substantially right-angular configuration defined by the upwardly extending mouth and the portionsj of the bag above the contents. 7

I 25. In a filled bag closing machine, a device for compressing the material within the bag and for forming squared shoulders upon the bag, comholdthe upper portion of the mouth of the bag, and flexible means associated therewith .to grip the entire bag mouth prog'ressively downward from said upper portion toward the top of the contents of the bag whereby tautly drawn into substantially right-angular configuration defined by the upwardly extending mouth and the portions of the bag above the contents, said rigid members comprising portions adapted to press upon the top of the contents of the bag at each side of the mouth.

26. In a filled bag'closingmachine, a device for compressing the material within the bag and for forming squared shoulders upon the bag, comprising rigid members to hold the upper portion of the mouth of the bag, flexible means associated therewith to grip the entire bag mouth progressively downward from said upper portion toward the top of the contents of the bag whereby the sides of the bag are tautly drawn into suband flexible means assostantially right-angular configuration defined by the upwardly extending mouth and the portions of the bag above the contents, said rigid mern'-' 'bers comprising portions the top of the contentsof the bag at each side adapted to press upon of the bag taut and to .yieldably press said folded end upon the end of the bag.

28. In a filled bag closing machine, means to collapse the open projecting end of a bag, means to apply adhesive to one wall of the bag, means to fold the mouth of the bag upon itself, and a final folding means to fold the folded end upon the area .having adhesive thereon, said final folding means operating in the direction of the fold to draw the sides of the bag taut and to press the folded end upon the area having adhesive thereon.

29. A machine for closing the mouths of filled bags comprising, means to tuck the side walls of the open end of the bag inwardly and to collapse the front and rear walls of the bag upon the tucked side walls, meansto' form squared shoulders on the bag, means to fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squared shoulders comprising a combined trimming and creasing device adapted to trim the edge of the bag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents, all of said means being relatively fixed, and means to adjust the bags toward and away from said means whereby to compensate for fluctuations in density of the enclosedmaterial.

30. A machine for closing the mouths of filled bags comprising, means to tuck the side walls of the open end of the bag inwardly and to collapse the front and rear walls of the bag upon the tucked side walls, means to form squared shoulders on the bag, means to fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squared shoulders comprising a combined trimming and creasing device adapted to trim the edge of the bag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents and to form a crease in the bag parallel to and at a uniform distance from the trimmed end, all

' of said means being relatively fixed, and means to adjust the bags toward and away from said meanswhereby to compensate for fluctuations in density of the enclosed material.

31. A machine for closing the mouths of filled bags comprising, means to tuck the side walls of the open end of the bag inwardly andto collapse the front and rear walls of the bag upon the tucked side walls, means to form squared shoulders on the bag, means to fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squared shoulders comprising a combined trimming and creasing device. adapted to trim the edge of the bag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents and to forms crease in the bag parallel to and at a uniform distance from the trimmed end and folding bars adapted to fold the end of the bag once upon itself along said crease, means to fold the folded end of the bag down upon the said shoulder. all of said means being relatively fixed, and means to adjust the bags toward and away from said means whereby to compensate for fluctuations in density of the enclosed material.

32. A machine forclosing the mouths of filled bags comprising; means to tuck .the side walls of the open end of'the bag inwardly and to collapse the front and rear walls of the bag upon the tucked side walls; means to form squared shoulders on the bag; means to fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squa d shoul:

ders comprising a combined trimming and creasing device adapted to trim the edge of the bag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents and to form a crease in the bag parallel to and at a uniform distance from the trimmed end, folding bars adapted to fold the end of the bag once upon itself along said .crease and means to fold the folded end of the bag down upon the said shoulder; all of said means being relatively fixed;

and means to adjust the bags toward and away from said means whereby to compensate for, fluctuations in density of the enclosed material. 33. The method of closing a filled bag comprising applying a uniform pressure to the top of the enclosed contents, trimming the mouth of the bag, and closing the mouth of the bag with reference to the top of the enclosed, compressed contents as a datum line.

34. A machine for closing the mouths of filled bags having the side walls of the open end of the bag tucked inwardly and the front and rear walls of the bag collapsed upon the tucked side walls comprising means to form squared shoulders on the bag, and means to fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squared shoulders, and including a trimming device adapted to trim the edge of thebag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents.

35. A machine for closing the mouths of filled bags having the side walls of the open end of the bag tucked inwardly and the front and rear walls of the bag collapsed upon the tucked side walls comprising means to form squared shoulders on the bag, and means to fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squared shoulders, and including a combined trimming and creasing device adapted to trim the edge of the bag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents and to form a crease in the bag parallel to and at a uniform distance from the trimmed end.

36. A machine for closing the mouths of filled bags having the side walls of the open end of the bag tucked inwardly and the front and rear walls of the bag collapsed upon the tucked side walls comprising means to form squared shoulders on the bag, means to fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squared shoulders comprising a combined trimming and creasing device adapted to trim the edge of the bag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents and to form a crease in-the bag parallel to and at a uniform distance from the trimmed end, and folding bars adapted to fold the end of the bag once upon itself along said creased line.

3'7. A machine for closing the mouths of filled bags having the side walls of the open end of the bag tucked inwardly and the front and rear walls of .the has collapsed upon the tucked side walls comprising means to fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squared shoulders comprising fold the end of thebag once upon itself along said creased line, and means to fold the folded end of the bag down upon the said shoulder.

38. A machine for closing the mouths of filled bags having the side walls of the open end of the bag tucked inwardly and the front and rear walls of the bag collapsed upon the tucked side walls comprising means to form squared shoulders on the bag, means to fold the end of the bag down upon one of said squared shoulders comprising a combined trimming and creasing device adapted to trim the edge of the bag at a certain distance above the enclosed contents and to form a crease in the bag parallel to .and at a uniform distance from the trimmed end, means to apply adhesive to said shoulder, folding bars adapted to fold the end of the bag once upon itself along said creased line, and means to fold the folded end of the bag down upon the said shoulder.

39. In a filled bag'closing machine, means to trim theedge of the bag comprising a trimming device and means operable to grasp the end of the bag below the edge being trimmed and holding the same against pressure on the side of the bag, and. means to apply adhesive to the side of the bag below the said grasping means while the end of the bag is so held.

40. In a filled bag closing machine, means to trim the edge of the bag comprising a trimming device and means operable to grasp the end of the bag below the edge being trimmed and holding the same against pressure on the side of the bag, and means to apply adhesive to the side of the bag-below the said grasping means while the end of the bag is so held, said applying means comprising a fountain roll and a transfer roll recipro cated from said fountain roll to the bag.

41. In a filled bag closing machine, means to trim the edge of the bag comprising a trimming device and means operable to grasp the end of the bag below the edge being trimmed and holding the same against pressure on the side of the bag, and means to apply adhesive to the side of the bag below thesaid grasping means while the end of the bag is so held, said applying means comprising a fountain roll and a transfer roll reciprocated from said fountain roll to the bag, and means associated therewith to revolve said fountain roll during the reciprocation thereof.

42. In a filled bag closing machine of the type adapted to close the open end of a bag having its side walls tucked inwardly between the collapsed front and rear walls, means to fold the end of the bag upon itself, and means temporarily hlding the folded end while folding the same upon the top of the enclosed contents, said means comprising a sliding plate movable across the top of the bag and adapted to press and smooth the folded end in the direction of the fold to drawthe bag taut.

43. The method of closing a filled bag having its side walls tucked inwardly and its front and rear walls collapsed upon the side walls above the top of the enclosed contents comprising holding the collapsed end of the bag against movement and applying uniform pressure to the top of the enclosed contents, and folding the mouth of the bag upon itself with reference to the top of the enclosed compressed contents as a datum 45. The method of closing a filled bag comprising applying uniform downward pressure to substantially the entire upper surface of the enclosed contents of the bag to bring said surface into a plane and simultaneously drawing portions of the front and rear walls of the bag toward each other over said surface and into the plane thereof.

4.8. In a filled bag closing machine of the type adapted to close the open end of a bag, having its sidewalls tucked inwardly between the collapsed front and rear walls, means to fold the end of the bag upon itself and means engaging and folding the same upon the top of the enclosed contents, said last named means comprising a sliding. plate movable across the top of the bag and adapted to yieldably press and smooth the folded end in the direction of the fold to draw the bag taut.

47. In a filled bag closing machine of the type adapted to close the open end of a bag having its" side walls tucked inwardly between the collapsed front and rear" w: means to form a uniform closure comprising guides and feeding mechanism for intermittently advancing the filled bag in upright position between the guides, a combinded trimming and creasing device operable during a' dwell in the intermittent movement of the bag to trim the edge thereof and to form a crease at a definite distance from and parallel to the trimmed edge, and means to which the bag is then, presented for folding the bag mouth along the crease and drawing the folded end down upon the top of the bag contents.

48. The method of closing filled bags comprising collapsing the mouth of the bag; applying downward pressure to level the upper surface of the enclosed contents; drawing portions of the front and rear walls toward each other into the plane of the top of the contents; applying adhesive to one of said portions; folding the bag mouth into said plane and drawing said bagmouth across said plane while pressing the same against said adhesive.

49. In agfilled bag closing machine, means to tuck the side walls of the bag inwardly and to press the same against the top of the enclosed contents comprising tucking members and operating means to yieldably urge said tucking members into contact with said side walls.

side walls tucked inwardly between the collapsed front and rear walls, means to fold said open end upon itself, means to apply adhesive to the bag below said folded end and means engaging and folding said folded end upon the top of the enclosed contents and in engagement with said ad-- heslve, said last named means including a member movable transversely across the top of the bag and adapted under-yielding pressure to smooth the folded end in the direction of the fold to draw. the bag taut.

ROBERT N. 

